The Catcher in the Rye as a novel of growing up

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It's a painful novel about growing up. Holden isn't a particularly sympathetic protagonist. Holden goes through adolescent angst but it all seems magnified and a little twisted. He is unable to hold any kind of meaningful relationships. His ascertain that people are phoney hinders him from experiencing things that adolescents take for granted. On his trip to New York, Holden attempts to experience what he considers adulthood (Like Sunny the prostitute) but remains his angst ridden self. In the end the only truly happy experience Holden feels is watching his little sister ride the carousel in the rain.